THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Thursday, 8 July 1999)
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(1) Senior General Than Shwe points out need for constant maintenance of renovated works at Shwedagon Pagoda Stresses necessity for plans to ensure security of valuable relics and ancient treasures
YANGON, 7 July – Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected all-round renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.
First, the Senior General and party paid obeisance to the stupa.
At the Ancient Museum Tazaung, the Secretary-1 reported on the Tatmadaw's renovation of religious buildings on the pagoda platform, formation of the Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda, formation of the Leading Committee, the work committee and subcommittees under the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe in 1994, making studies to choose priority tasks, implementation of 36 general renovation tasks of the pagoda including the reconstruction of the four stairways to restore their original styles, hoisting of the new Shwehtidaw of the pagoda under the guidance of the Senior General and ovada of the Pagoda Ovadacariya Sayadaws after making consultations with Myanmar engineers, ardent participation of the people in hoisting the Shwehtidaw, offering of gold plates to the pagoda and renovation of religious buildings with the generous donations made by the public.
At the Punyakusalabahukara Tazaung on the pagoda platform, they paid obeisance to the Jade Buddha Image. They then inspected the renovated religious buildings.
Later, the Senior General and party inspected arrangements in recycling of discarded flowers to make cetis and Buddha images at the Sasana Waiyawutsa Tazaung.
They viewed the old htidaw of the pagoda and damaged parts of the old htidaw at the Cetiyangana Tazaung and bells and gold plates offered to the nghet-pyaw-phu-daw in 1899 at the museum.
They then inspected the Aungmye Tazaung and construction of a Shwehtidaw design pagoda.
At the Aryonkhan Tazaung near the eastern archway, they paid obeisance to Buddha images.
They left the pagoda later in the morning.
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(2) Works discussed to expedite reclamation of fallow and virgin lands
YANGON, 7 July – A coordination meeting on expediting works of national entrepreneurs for reclamation of fallow and virgin lands was held in the meeting hall of the Ministry of Energy this afternoon, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo called on all to present and discuss progress of work in reclamation of fallow and virgin land and condition of cultivation works, sale and use of fuel oil and future tasks.
In conclusion, the Secretary-2 urged all to coordinate with one another for the successful implementation of the works and to see to it that there was no loss and wastage of fuel.
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(3) Secretary-2 meets Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation
YANGON, 7 July – Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo received Chairman Mr Y Saito of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan and party who called at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this evening.
Also present at the call were Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Brig-Gen Aung Hlaing, Deputy Quartermaster-General Col Zaw Lin and officials.
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(4) Deputy PM receives General Manager of Kinsho Corporation
YANGON, 7 July – General Manager Mr. Tommy Hashimoto of Kinsho Corporation in Yangon paid a courtesy call Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment commission vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin at his office this evening.
Also present on the occasion were Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's office Secretary of MIC Brig-Gen Maung Maung and officials of MIC office and Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
They discussed economic undertakings and investment prospects and opportunities in agriculture.
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(5) 60 members resign from Pyapon Township NLD
YANGON, 7 July – Sixty members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pyapon Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Sixty members of Pyapon Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters resignation to Pyapon Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 23 December as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(6) Seminar on human resources development begins
YANGON, 7 July – A seminar on human resources development was opened at the International Business Centre this morning.
The seminar held under Human Resources Development Programme and sponsored by Japanese International Cooperation Agency, is aimed at ensuring development of small and medium-sized industries.
Present at the opening ceremony were Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, Ambassador of Japan Mr Kazuo Asakai and officials, Residence Representative of JICA Mr Takashi Yoshida and officials, personnel of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Industry-1, Ministry of Industry-2, Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Cooperatives, Ministry of Education, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Mandalay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and guests.
Minister Brig-Gen Abel, Minister U Aung Thaung, Ambassador Mr Kazuo Asakai and Mr Takashi Yoshida made speeches.
Professor Minoru Kiryu, the leader of technicians group of Japan, explained matters related to the seminar.
The seminar will be held till 9 July.
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(7) Minister for Transport meets staff of Myanma Airways
YANGON, 7 July – Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe met the staff of Myanma Airways under the Ministry of Transport in the training hall of the Civil Aviation Training Institute of the Department of Civil Aviation yesterday evening.
Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, Department heads and officials, pilots, co-pilots, stewards, stewardesses and officials.
The minister heard reports presented by officials.
Then, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe said instructions on take-off and landing of the plane have been issued from time to time, and urged pilots and co-pilots to discharge their duties seriously and to follow the instructions of the navigator and not to do according to one's own decision.
He said that the pilots need to strictly follow the routine procedures before take-off, and stewardesses need to deal with passengers politely.
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(8) Minister inspects construction repair of bridges and roads
YANGON, 7 July – Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by officials of Public Works, inspected construction and repair of bridges and roads on Yangon-Sittway Highway Project on 5 July.
The minister also inspected Yamaung Bridge Project, one of the 10 major bridge projects on the highway, and implementation works of the project and met engineers concerned.
He also gave instructions on completing the project as scheduled, meeting the set standards for the road and making ring roads smooth.
This morning, he inspected extension of Bwetgyi Bridge on Yangon-Pyay-Magway High-way and heard reports on maintenance of the existing bridge.
He gave instructions on choosing the site for construction of a new bridge.
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YANGON, 7 July – Shwekyaung Sayadaw of Singapore Abbot Ven Shi Fazhao donated 5 containers of various kinds of toys to Ministry of Culture. which in turn handed over toys worth K 6 million to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association at MMCWA at the corner of Thanthuma Road and Parami Road in South Okkalapa Township at 10 am today.
Also present on the occasion were Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and EC members, Daw Khin Thein Yi, wife of Minister for Culture U Win Sein and representatives of Shwekyaung Sayadaw of Singapore.
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(10) Youth Badminton team from PRC arrives
YANGON, 7 July – Youth Badminton team from the People's Republic of China this evening arrived here to take part in Golden Eagle Asian Juniors Badminton Championship 1999 at National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna from 11 to 17 July.
The team was welcomed by President of Myanmar Badminton Federation U Kyi Nyunt, General Secretary Dr Myat Lay Sein, Cultural Counsellor of the PRC Embassy Ms Ren Xiuzhi and officials of Sports and Physical Education Department.
The team includes 20 players, four coaches, one secretary and one umpire.
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(11) Coord meeting on displaying goods at Int'l Trade Fair in S Africa
YANGON, 7 July – A coordination meeting on displaying goods at International Trade Fair in South Africa was held at the Ministry of Commerce this afternoon.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Central Supervisory Committee to Display Goods at International Trade Fair in South Africa Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Ministers at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel and Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, deputy ministers, advisers to the Ministry of Commerce, directors-general, managing directors and officials and guests.
Minister Maj-Gen Kyaw Than made a speech on the occasion.
A general round of discussions and suggestions then followed.
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(12) Minister U Saw Tun addresses 21st Special Session of UNGA
YANGON, 7 July – Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun attended the 21st Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York from 30 June to 2 July.
Leader of Myanmar delegation Minister U Saw Tun delivered an address on 1 July (Reported separately). Leader of Myanmar delegation was elected as member of Panel of Vice-Chairmen of the Assembly. Minister U Saw Tun together with Alternate Leader Permanent Representative to the UN U Win Mra met UN Deputy Secretary-General Mme Louise Frechette, Chairman of UNGA Dr Didier Opertti Badan and Executive Director Dr Nafis Sadik of United Nations Fund for Population Activities.
Minister U Saw Tun also met ministers from ASEAN nations, ministers from Asian, African and Latin American countries. During his stop over in Japan, the minister discussed mutual cooperation with MPs and members of Population Affairs Committee of the Diet Mr Shomei Yokoichi from LDP and Ms Akiko Yamanaka from Reformer Network Party and former Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Yoichi Yamaguchi and Myanmar Ambassador U Khin Maung Thein.
The minister discussed mutual cooperation with Minister of Justice Mr Takao Jinmouchi who is responsible for immigration and Minister of Health and Social Welfare Mr Miyashita Sohei who is responsible for population and manpower.
The minister explained political, economic and social developments in Myanmar
in meeting with staff of Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar in New York
and Myanmar Embassy in Japan.
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